Jul. 19, 2013

Behind the 'Spirit of Detroit' is the city's motto: 'It will rise from the ashes; we hope for better things.' / Regina H. Boone/Detroit Free Press

When faced with a Detroit in ruins, a wise priest said, “We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes.” He was correct — so correct, in fact, that it became the city’s motto (Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus.)

So here’s to Father Gabriel Richard and the ghosts of Detroit’s past. May the inspiration of their perseverance lead us to begin a new chapter in Detroit that is bright and hopeful for all, no matter how difficult these next few months might be.

Dean Simmer

Detroit

We must find a way to stop murders in Detroit

Isn’t it time for something drastic to be done to put a stop to the killings in Detroit and surrounding areas? I’m so tired of hearing about and reading about another adult or child being killed. We need more police officers, gang squads and undercover personnel out on the street listening to the undertones of the neighborhoods. We are all citizens of the world and we should help each other any way we can.

Linda Crawford

Livonia

No clue how to fix Detroit's problems

Within the city of Detroit, no good deed goes unpunished. The president of the City Council does some mentoring and is accused of an improper relationship. Workers volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in a Detroit neighborhood have their cars broken into. A Habitat contractor working on a house is robbed and assaulted. Now creditors who bought Detroit bonds are asked to accept pennies on the dollar invested. I have no idea what the solution to this mess called Detroit is. When I was in the military, I proudly said I was from Detroit.